Bill Clinton Lauds CIA

By: Prerana Swami
Topics: Bill Clinton

(CBS)

Former President Bill Clinton visited Central Intelligence Agency headquarters today to express his gratitude to employees and thank them for their role in protecting the United States against foreign threats.

"I think it's critical to meeting the challenges that we face today and the ones we're likely to face tomorrow. I guess that's the most important thing I can say—that I am grateful to all of you for your service here," Mr. Clinton said.

Mr. Clinton was also briefed on counterterrorism and regional hotspots by senior analysts at CIA headquarters. He said staffers are "trying to stop the big bad things from happening, trying to limit the damage from the bad things that do happen, and trying to keep moving the world in the direction it should go."

CIA director Leon Panetta complimented Mr. Clinton for his understanding of the CIA's role in intelligence gathering in the post-Cold War era.

"We certainly can benefit from the experience and perspective of a man who for eight years worked to defuse those dangers, protect our nation, and share the best of its ideals with the rest of the world," Panetta said.

Mr. Clinton also spoke about his experiences around the world after leaving office.

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by CCinDC July 28, 2009 9:15 AM EDT

Hey, stn_sage, Right on!

Hey pasmalltown, you're being silly. All ex presidents have plenty PLENTY of protection. If Bill Clinton does get killed, it won't be by a terrorist, it'll be by some girl's protective father.

Also, shouldn't he be off in Haiti, instead of having field trips with his old friends who are trying to talk him up in the press?

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by pasmalltown July 30, 2009 9:57 AM EDT: Hey CCinDC - Of course I was being silly, silly. Terrorist or protective father/mother or intern that keeps a ***** splashed dress in plastic for two years, who cares, you're still dead.... AND, if you've lived in DC(or Haiti) for any length of time, you should have already known this, by George.

by stn_sage July 28, 2009 8:33 AM EDT

OK, what's he up to, now? What kind of trouble has he or HRC gotten into that he's 'kissing up to the CIA' over?!

Regarding his briefing, this is highly improper! He's an ex-president! He's not entitled to any such briefing whatsoever! He's only a citizen now.

If the CIA is briefing the citizenry, then I want to be briefed, too!
If they are not, then Bill Clinton has NO BUSINESS being briefed!

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by pasmalltown July 28, 2009 9:00 AM EDT: And you don't believe that an ex-president (any ex-president) might be a target for the terrorists? ANd HRC is a US gov't official with some international exposure. If I were Bill I think it would be in the back of my mind that being nice to the CIA would be beneficial to living a longer life.